Data processing apparatus, data processing method, and data processing program stored on computer-readable storage medium

ABSTRACT

A first data format may include real data. A second data format and a third data format each may include real data and metadata indicative of an attribute of the real data. The second data format may include the real data and the metadata in data units different from each other. The third data format may include the real data and the metadata in a single data unit. A program may cause a processor to convert, in response to an input data being in the first data format or in the third data format, the data format of the input data to generate output data in the second data format.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a data processing apparatus, a dataprocessing method, and a data processing program.

BACKGROUND

WO 2014/041826 (Patent Literature 1) describes a system for circulatingdata, such as sensing data associated with metadata indicating theattribute of the sensing data. The system allows the user to refer tometadata and retrieve sensing data that meets the user's requests (referto Patent Literature 1).

SUMMARY

Processing data may include processing data items in multiple differentformats. For example, data items to be processed may be in one dataformat including metadata associated with real data as in PatentLiterature 1 and in another data format including real data alone notassociated with metadata. Data items in multiple different data formatsmay involve complicated data processing.

In response to the above issue, one or more aspects of the presentinvention are directed to a data processing apparatus, a data processingmethod, and a data processing program that facilitate data processing ofinput data in any format in a subsequent process.

Solution to Problem

A data processing apparatus according to an aspect of the presentinvention is an apparatus for processing input data to generate outputdata. The data processing apparatus includes a memory and a processor.The memory stores a program. The processor executes the program. Theinput data is in a first data format, in a second data format, or in athird data format. The first data format includes real data. Each of thesecond data format and the third data format includes real data andmetadata indicative of an attribute of the real data. The second dataformat includes the real data and the metadata in data units differentfrom each other. The third data format includes the real data and themetadata in a single data unit. The program causes the processor toconvert, in response to the input data being in the first data format orin the third data format, the data format of the input data to generateoutput data in the second data format.

The data processing apparatus generates output data in the second dataformat from input data in the first data format or in the third dataformat. In other words, the data processing apparatus outputs data inthe second data format from input data in any format. The dataprocessing apparatus thus provides data in a common data format (seconddata format) to a subsequent process from input data in any format,facilitating data processing in the subsequent process.

In the above data processing apparatus, the program may further causethe processor to generate the output data in the second data format inresponse to the input data being in the second data format.

In the above data processing apparatus, the program may further causethe processor to output the real data included in the output data to anETL tool being an extract, transform, and load tool.

In the above data processing apparatus, the program may cause theprocessor to process the metadata in accordance with a process performedon the real data by the ETL tool.

The data processing apparatus processes the metadata in accordance withthe process performed on the real data by the ETL tool. The dataprocessing apparatus thus enables the real data processed by an existingETL tool and the metadata to remain properly associated with each other.

In the above data processing apparatus, the real data may includesensing data generated by a sensor.

A data processing method according to another aspect of the presentinvention is a method for processing input data to generate output data.The input data is in a first data format, in a second data format, or ina third data format. The first data format includes real data. Each ofthe second data format and the third data format includes real data andmetadata indicative of an attribute of the real data. The second dataformat includes the real data and the metadata in data units differentfrom each other. The third data format includes the real data and themetadata in a single data unit. The data processing method includesconverting, in response to the input data being in the first data formator in the third data format, the data format of the input data togenerate output data in the second data format.

The data processing method generates output data in the second dataformat from input data in the first data format or in the third dataformat. In other words, the data processing method outputs data in thesecond data format from input data in any format. The data processingmethod thus provides data in a common data format (second data format)to a subsequent process from input data in any format, facilitating dataprocessing in the subsequent process.

A data processing program according to still another aspect of thepresent invention is a program for causing a processor to process inputdata to generate output data. The input data is in a first data format,in a second data format, or in a third data format. The first dataformat includes real data. Each of the second data format and the thirddata format includes real data and metadata indicative of an attributeof the real data. The second data format includes the real data and themetadata in data units different from each other. The third data formatincludes the real data and the metadata in a single data unit. The dataprocessing program causes the processor to perform operations includingconverting, in response to the input data being in the first data formator in the third data format, the data format of the input data togenerate output data in the second data format.

When executed by the processor, the data processing program causes theprocessor to generate output data in the second data format from inputdata in the first data format or in the third data format. In otherwords, when executed by the processor, the data processing programcauses the processor to output data in the second data format from inputdata in any format. The data processing program thus provides data in acommon data format (second data format) to a subsequent process frominput data in any format, facilitating data processing in the subsequentprocess.

Advantageous Effects

The data processing apparatus, the data processing method, and the dataprocessing program according to the above aspects of the presentinvention facilitate data processing of input data in any format in asubsequent process.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a data processing server.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example analysis datageneration system including a data processing server.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a data formats of data items stored ina sensing data database (DB).

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a data processing server showing anexample hardware configuration.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a data processing server and anextract, transform, and load (ETL) server showing example softwareconfigurations.

FIG. 6 is a detailed diagram illustrating a data format converter.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a types of data conversion performed bya data format converter.

FIG. 8 is a detailed diagram illustrating a metadata transformer.

FIG. 9 is a table illustrating example metadata transformation performedby a value converter.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example procedure for data formatconversion performed by a data format converter.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example procedure for metadatatransformation performed by a metadata transformer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

One or more embodiments of the present invention (hereafter, the presentembodiment) will now be described in detail with reference to thedrawings. The same or corresponding components in the figures are giventhe same reference numerals, and will not be described repeatedly. Thepresent embodiment described below is a mere example of the presentinvention in any aspect. The present embodiment may be variouslymodified or altered within the scope of the present invention. Morespecifically, the present invention may be implemented as appropriateusing any configuration specific to the embodiment.

1. Overview

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a data processing apparatus (dataprocessing server) 100 according to the present embodiment. As shown inFIG. 1, the data processing server 100 is connected to a sensing datadatabase (DB) 200 through a network. The sensing data DB 200 storesvarious items of sensing data. The data processing server 100 generatesoutput data by processing sensing data input from the sensing data DB200. The data processing server 100 outputs the generated output data toa subsequent process.

The items of sensing data stored in the sensing data DB 200 may not bein the same data format. As described in detail later, the data formatsinclude, for example, i) a first data format including sensing datawithout metadata that indicates the attribute of the sensing data(hereafter simply referred to as metadata), ii) a second data formatincluding sensing data and metadata in different data units, and iii) athird data format including sensing data and metadata together in asingle data format.

Data items in different data formats may involve complicated dataprocessing in a subsequent process. As described in detail later, thedata processing server 100 according to the present embodiment includesa data format converter 102. The data format converter 102 converts thedata format of input data in the first data format or in the third dataformat and generates output data in the second data format. In otherwords, the data processing server 100 outputs data in the second dataformat from input data in any format.

The data processing server 100 thus provides data in a common dataformat (second data format) to a subsequent process from input data inany format, facilitating data processing in the subsequent process. Theconfiguration of the entire system, the hardware and softwareconfigurations of the data processing server 100, and the operation ofthe data processing server 100 will now be described in the statedorder.

2. System Configuration

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an example analysis data generationsystem 10 including the data processing server 100 according to thepresent embodiment. The analysis data generation system 10 generatesdata to be analyzed by data analysts based on sensing data generated bya sensor installed at, for example, a manufacturing site.

Many data analysts understand little about the situations on, forexample, the manufacturing sites. Thus, many data analysts who refer tosensing data alone are unlikely to understand the meaning of the sensingdata accurately. In the present embodiment, the analysis data includessensing data (real data) and metadata that aids data analysts inunderstanding the sensing data. Metadata indicates the attribute ofsensing data. Metadata may be generated at, for example, a manufacturingsite or in the process of generating analysis data.

Data analysts can handle sensing data appropriately by referring to themetadata associated with the sensing data, thus performing appropriatedata analysis.

In the example shown in FIG. 2, the analysis data generation system 10includes the data processing server 100, the sensing data DB 200, ananalysis data DB 300, the ETL server 400, and an ID management server500.

The sensing data DB 200 stores sensing data generated by a sensor.Examples of the sensor that generates sensing data stored in the sensingdata DB 200 include an image sensor (camera), a temperature sensor, ahumidity sensor, an illumination sensor, a force sensor, a sound sensor,a radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor, an infrared sensor, aposture sensor, a rain sensor, a radiation sensor, and a gas sensor. Thesensor may be a stationary sensor, or a mobile sensor, such as a mobilephone, a smartphone, or a tablet. The sensor may be a single sensingdevice or may include multiple sensing devices. The sensor may beinstalled for any purposes. For example, the sensor may be installed forfactory automation (FA) and production management at a factory, urbantraffic control, weather or other environmental measurement, healthcare,or crime prevention.

The sensing data DB 200 stores sensing data items generated by suchvarious sensors. Thus, the data items stored in the sensing data DB 200may not be in the same data format. For example, the sensing data DB 200stores data items in different data formats.

FIG. 3 is a diagram describing the data formats of the data items storedin the sensing data DB 200. As shown in FIG. 3, a first data formatincludes sensing data (real data) (with no metadata). In the first dataformat, the sensing data includes a value V11 generated by a sensor.

A second data format includes sensing data and metadata in differentdata units. In the second data format, the sensing data includes an IDand a value V21 generated by a sensor. The ID is determined in themanner described in detail later. The metadata includes an ID and avalue V22 indicating the attribute of the sensing data. The sensing dataand the metadata are associated with each other with a common IDincluded in the sensing data and the metadata.

A third data format includes sensing data and metadata that togetherform a single data unit. In the third data format, the data unitincludes a value V31 generated by a sensor and metadata stored in theheader.

Referring back to FIG. 2, the ETL server 400 implements an ETL tool.More specifically, the ETL server 400 extracts (E) data from the sensingdata DB 200, transforms (T) the extracted data into a form suitable foranalysis, and loads (L) the resultant data into the analysis data DB300. The ETL server 400 will be described in detail later.

The data processing server 100 preprocesses the sensing data for whichtransmission is requested by the ETL server 400 from the sensing data DB200. The data processing server 100 outputs the sensing data (real data)obtained from the sensing data DB 200 to the ETL server 400 andprocesses the metadata associated with the sensing data. The dataprocessing server 100 outputs the processed metadata to the analysisdata DB 300. The data processing server 100 will be described in detaillater.

The analysis data DB 300 stores the sensing data processed by the ETLserver 400 and the metadata processed by the data processing server 100.The processed sensing data and metadata stored in the analysis data DB300 are easily analyzable by data analysts.

The ID management server 500 manages the IDs included in the sensingdata (real data) and the metadata in the second data format. The IDmanagement server 500 generates an ID different from any issued ID asrequested by, for example, the data processing server 100 or the ETLserver 400. The ID management server 500 generates, for example, auniversally unique identifier (UUID). The ID management server 500stores the transition (history) of the IDs included in the sensing dataand the metadata. For example, for any ID included in an item of sensingdata being changed, the ID management server 500 stores the ID(s) beforeand after being changed in a manner associated with the sensing data.Thus, the provider of the sensing data can, for example, track the useof the sensing data, which is provided by the provider, by accessing theID management server 500.

3. Hardware Configuration

FIG. 4 is a diagram of the data processing server 100 showing an examplehardware configuration. In the present embodiment, the data processingserver 100 is implemented by, for example, a general-purpose computer.

In the example shown in FIG. 4, the data processing server 100 includesa controller 170, a communication interface (I/F) 190, and a storage180. The components are electrically connected to one another with a bus195.

The controller 170 includes, for example, a central processing unit(CPU) 172, a random-access memory (RAM) 174, and a read-only memory(ROM) 176. The controller 170 controls the components in accordance withintended information processing.

The communication I/F 190 communicates with external devices external tothe data processing server 100 (e.g., the sensing data DB 200, theanalysis data DB 300, the ETL server 400, and the ID management server500 shown in FIG. 2) through the Internet. The communication I/F 190includes, for example, a wired local area network (LAN) module and awireless LAN module.

The storage 180 is, for example, an auxiliary storage device such as ahard disk drive or a solid state drive. The storage 180 stores, forexample, a control program 181.

The control program 181 is executable by the controller 170 to controlthe data processing server 100. For example, the controller 170 executesthe control program 181 to implement the software modules describedlater. The controller 170 expands the control program 181 into the RAM174 for executing the control program 181. The controller 170 controlsthe components with the CPU 172 interpreting and executing the controlprogram 181 expanded in the RAM 174. The ETL server 400 may have thesame hardware configuration as the data processing server 100.

4. Software Configuration

4-1. Software Configurations of Data Processing Server and ETL Server

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the data processing server 100 and theETL server 400 showing example software configurations. As shown in FIG.5, the data processing server 100 includes a data format converter 102,a data separator 104, a metadata transformer 106, and a metadatatransmitter 108. The data format converter 102, the data separator 104,the metadata transformer 106, and the metadata transmitter 108 aresoftware modules implementable by the controller 170 (FIG. 4) executingthe control program 181.

The ETL server 400 includes a data extractor 402, a data transformer404, and a loader 406. The data extractor 402, the data transformer 404,and the loader 406 are software modules implementable by a controller ora processor (not shown) included in the ETL server 400 executing acontrol program (not shown).

The software modules start the processing in response to the dataextractor 402 included in the ETL server 400 requesting the sensing dataDB 200 to transmit data. More specifically, the data extractor 402transmits an application programming interface (API) command forrequesting the sensing data DB 200 to transmit data. This causestransmission of a data item stored in the sensing data DB 200 to thedata format converter 102. The processing is started in this manner.

The data format converter 102 is a software module that converts inputdata in any data format to data in the second data format describedabove. The data format converter 102 determines the data format of theinput data and converts the data format based on the determinationresult. The data generated by the data format converter 102 is output tothe data separator 104. The data format converter 102 will be describedin detail later.

The data separator 104 is a software module that separates the inputdata into sensing data (real data) and metadata. The ETL server 400 istypically designed to process real data alone. The data separator 104thus outputs the sensing data to the data extractor 402 and the metadatato the metadata transformer 106.

The data extractor 402 outputs the input (extracted) sensing data to thedata transformer 404.

The data transformer 404 is a software module that transforms the inputdata in accordance with, for example, a transformation rule predefinedfor each type of sensing data. For example, a sensing data valuegenerated by a temperature sensor is a voltage value (V). In this case,the transformation rule includes, for example, a conversion formula froma voltage value (V) to a temperature (° C.). The data transformer 404converts the input voltage value (V) to a temperature (° C.) inaccordance with, for example, the conversion formula. In anotherexample, sensing data generated by a sensor has ten digits. Thetransformation rule may define, for example, that any sensing data is tobe converted to data with five digits. In this case, the datatransformer 404 converts the input sensing data to data with five digitsin accordance with the transformation rule.

In response to the sensing data value being converted (changed), thedata transformer 404 changes the ID included in the sensing data. Tochange the ID, the data transformer 404 requests the ID managementserver 500 to issue a new ID. The data transformer 404 receives the newID from the ID management server 500 and assigns the ID to the sensingdata. The data transformer 404 outputs the resultant sensing data to theloader 406.

The loader 406 is a software module that outputs input data to theanalysis data DB 300. The analysis data DB 300 stores the sensing datainput from the loader 406.

The metadata transformer 106 is a software module that transformsmetadata in accordance with the transformation performed on the sensingdata by the ETL server 400. The resultant metadata is output to themetadata transmitter 108. The metadata transformer 106 will be describedin detail later.

The metadata transmitter 108 is a software module that outputs inputdata to the analysis data DB 300. The analysis data DB 300 stores themetadata input from the metadata transmitter 108.

4-2. Detailed Configuration of Data Format Converter

FIG. 6 is a detailed diagram of the data format converter 102. As shownin FIG. 6, the data format converter 102 includes a data formatdeterminer 110, a first converter 112, and a second converter 114.

The data format determiner 110 is a software module that determines thedata format of input data. The data format determiner 110 determineswhether the input data is in the first, second, or third data formatdescribed above. More specifically, the data format determiner 110determines i) whether the input data includes metadata and ii) whetherthe sensing data (real data) and the metadata are included in the samedata unit.

Upon determining that the input data does not include metadata, the dataformat determiner 110 determines that the input data is in the firstdata format. Upon determining that the input data includes metadata andthat the sensing data and the metadata are in different data units, thedata format determiner 110 determines that the input data is in thesecond data format. Upon determining that the input data includesmetadata and that the sensing data and the metadata are in a single dataunit, the data format determiner 110 determines that the input data isin the third data format.

The data format determiner 110 outputs the input data determined to bein the first data format to the first converter 112. The data formatdeterminer 110 outputs the input data determined to be in the seconddata format to the data separator 104. The data format determiner 110outputs the input data determined to be in the third data format to thesecond converter 114. In other words, the input data determined to be inthe second data format does not undergo data format conversion.

The first converter 112 is a software module that converts data in thefirst data format to data in the second data format. The secondconverter 114 is a software module that converts data in the third dataformat to data in the second data format.

FIG. 7 is a diagram describing the types of data conversion performed bythe data format converter 102. Referring to FIG. 7, the first converter112 converts data in the first data format to data in the second dataformat as described above. More specifically, the first converter 112generates metadata having a predetermined default. The first converter112 further requests the ID management server 500 (FIG. 5) to issue anID and assigns the received ID to both the sensing data and themetadata. This generates the sensing data and the metadata each havingan assigned common ID but in different data units.

As described above, the second converter 114 converts data in the thirddata format to data in the second data format. More specifically, thesecond converter 114 separates the sensing data and the metadata intodifferent data units. The second converter 114 further requests the IDmanagement server 500 (FIG. 5) to issue an ID and assigns the receivedID to both the sensing data and the metadata. This generates the sensingdata and the metadata each having an assigned common ID but in differentdata units.

Referring back to FIG. 6, the data in the data format resulting fromconversion by the first converter 112 and the data in the data formatresulting from conversion by the second converter 114 are output to thedata separator 104.

In this manner, the data format converter 102 generates output data inthe second data format from any input data that may be in the first dataformat or in the third data format. In other words, the data formatconverter 102 outputs data in the second data format from input data inany format. The data format converter 102 thus provides data in a commondata format (second data format) to a subsequent process from input datain any format, facilitating data processing in the subsequent process.

4-3. Detailed Configuration of Metadata Transformer

FIG. 8 is a detailed diagram of the metadata transformer 106. As shownin FIG. 8, the metadata transformer 106 includes a query unit 120, an IDconverter 122, and a value converter 124.

The query unit 120 is a software module that inquires the ETL server 400about the process performed on sensing data. For example, the query unit120 inquires the ETL server 400 about i) whether the ID of the sensingdata has been changed and the resultant ID and ii) the type ofconversion performed on the sensing data value. The type of conversionof the sensing data value may be, for example, unit conversion and digitconversion. The query unit 120 receives an answer to the inquiry fromthe ETL server 400.

The query unit 120 outputs instructions to the ID converter 122 and thevalue converter 124 in accordance with the answer from the ETL server400. More specifically, in response to the ID of the sensing data beingchanged by the ETL server 400, the query unit 120 outputs, to the IDconverter 122, an instruction to change the ID of the metadata to theresultant ID of the sensing data. In response to the value of thesensing data being changed by the ETL server 400, the query unit 120outputs an instruction to change the value of the metadata to a valuematching the resultant sensing data value to the value converter 124.

The ID converter 122 is a software module that processes the metadata asinstructed by the query unit 120. In response to the ID of the sensingdata being changed by the ETL server 400, for example, the ID converter122 changes the ID included in the metadata to the resultant ID includedin the sensing data. In contrast, the ID converter 122 does not changethe ID included in the metadata in response to the ID of the sensingdata being unchanged by the ETL server 400. In other words, the IDconverter 122 changes the ID included in the metadata simply in responseto the ID included in the sensing data having been changed by the ETLserver 400. This structure avoids the issuance of more IDs than used,where the number of IDs is limited.

The value converter 124 is a software module that processes the metadataas instructed by the query unit 120. In response to the value of thesensing data being converted (changed) by the ETL server 400, the valueconverter 124 changes the value of the metadata to a value matching theresultant sensing data value.

FIG. 9 is a table describing example metadata transformation performedby the value converter 124. In this example, the ETL server 400 changesthe unit of the sensing data from voltage (V) to temperature (° C.), andthus converts the sensing data value and converts the number of digitsof the sensing data value from ten to five.

In this case, as shown in FIG. 9, the unit entry in the metadata ischanged from V to ° C., and the digit entry in the metadata is changedfrom ten to five.

Referring back to FIG. 8, the metadata generated by the value converter124 is output to the metadata transmitter 108.

In the manner described above, the metadata transformer 106 processesthe metadata in accordance with the process performed on the sensingdata (real data) by the ETL server 400 (ETL tool). Thus, the metadatatransformer 106 enables the metadata to remain properly associated withthe sensing data (real data) processed by an existing ETL tool.

In the present embodiment, sensing data and metadata indicating theattribute of the sensing data are associated with each other with acommon ID included in the sensing data and the metadata. Thus, thesensing data with the ID changed by the ETL server 400 can be unlinkedfrom the metadata with the unchanged ID. In response to the ID includedin the sensing data being changed by the ETL server 400, the metadatatransformer 106 changes the ID included in the metadata to the resultantID included in the sensing data. Thus, the metadata transformer 106enables the metadata to remain linked with the sensing data with the IDchanged by the ETL server 400.

The sensing data with the value changed by the ETL server 400 may failto match the metadata with the unchanged value. In response to the valueincluded in the sensing data changed by the ETL server 400, the metadatatransformer 106 changes the value included in the metadata to a valuematching the resultant value included in the sensing data. Thus, themetadata transformer 106 enables the metadata to remain matching thesensing data with the value changed by the ETL server 400.

5. Operation

5-1. Data Format Conversion

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example procedure for data formatconversion performed by the data format converter 102. The process shownin this flowchart is started by the controller 170 (data formatconverter 102) in response to an input of data stored in the sensingdata DB 200 into the data format converter 102.

Referring to FIG. 10, the controller 170 determines whether the inputdata is in the second data format (step S100). In response todetermination that the input data is in the second data format (Yes instep S100), the processing advances to step S140.

In response to determination that the input data is not in the seconddata format (No in step S100), the controller 170 determines whether theinput data is in the first data format (step S110). In response todetermination that the input data is in the first data format (Yes instep S110), the controller 170 converts the format of the input datafrom the first data format to the second data format (step S120).

In response to determination that the input data is not in the firstdata format (No in step S110), the controller 170 converts the format ofthe input data from the third data format to the second data format(step S130). The controller 170 then outputs data in the second dataformat (step S140). This converts data in any format to data in thesecond data format output from the data format converter 102.

5-2. Metadata Transformation

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example procedure for metadatatransformation performed by the metadata transformer 106. The processshown in this flowchart is started by the controller 170 (metadatatransformer 106) in response to an input of metadata into the metadatatransformer 106.

Referring to FIG. 11, the controller 170 inquires the ETL server 400about the process performed on the sensing data (real data) thatincludes the same ID as the input metadata (step S200). The controller170 determines whether an answer is received from the ETL server 400(step S210). In response to determination that no answer is received (Noin step S210), the controller 170 repeats the processing in step S210.

In response to determination that an answer is received (Yes in stepS210), the controller 170 determines whether the ID of the sensing datais converted by the ETL server 400 based on the received answer (stepS220). In response to determination that the ID of the sensing data isunchanged (No in step S220), the processing advances to step S240.

In response to determination that the ID of the sensing data is changed(Yes in step S220), the controller 170 changes the ID of the metadata tothe resultant ID included in the sensing data (step S230).

The controller 170 determines whether the value of the sensing data isconverted by the ETL server 400 based on the answer received in stepS210 (step S240). In response to determination that the sensing datavalue is unchanged (No in step S240), the processing advances to stepS260.

In response to determination that the value of the sensing data isconverted (Yes in step S240), the controller 170 converts the value ofthe metadata to a value matching the value included in the sensing data(step S250). The controller 170 then outputs the resultant metadata(step S260). This generates metadata that matches the sensing dataprocessed by the ETL server 400.

6. Features

As described above, the data processing server 100 according to thepresent embodiment includes the controller 170 that converts, inresponse to the input data being in the first data format or in thethird data format, the data format of the input data to generate outputdata in the second data format. In other words, the data processingserver 100 outputs data in the second data format from input data in anyformat. The data processing server 100 thus provides data in a commondata format (second data format) to a subsequent process from input datain any format, facilitating data processing in the subsequent process.

The data processing server 100 is an example of a data processingapparatus in an aspect of the present invention, the storage 180 is amemory in an aspect of the present invention, and the controller 170 isa processor in an aspect of the present invention.

7. Modifications

Although the invention has been described based on the embodiment, theembodiment may be modified variously without departing from the spritand scope of the present invention. Such modifications will now bedescribed. The modifications described below may be combined asappropriate.

7-1.

In the above embodiment, data stored in the sensing data DB 200 and dataprocessed by the data processing server 100 are sensing data. In someembodiments, the sensing data DB 200 and the data processing server 100may store or process data other than sensing data. For example, thesensing data DB 200 and the data processing server 100 may store orprocess data indicating the purchase history of a user at a shoppingsite, data indicating a score of a user at a game site, or any dataother than sensing data.

7-2.

In the above embodiment, the sensing data separated by the dataprocessing server 100 is output to the ETL server 400. In someembodiments, the sensing data may be output to a device other than theETL server 400. For example, the data in the second data formatgenerated by the data processing server 100 may simply be output to theanalysis data DB 300.

7-3.

In the above embodiment, the metadata generated by the data processingserver 100 is output to the analysis data DB 300. In some embodiments,the metadata generated by the data processing server 100 may be outputto a device other than the analysis data DB 300. For example, themetadata generated by the data processing server 100 may be output tothe loader 406 in the ETL server 400. In this case, the loader 406associates the metadata with sensing data and outputs the resultant dataset to the analysis data DB 300.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A data processing apparatus for processinginput data to generate output data, the apparatus comprising: a memoryconfigured to store a program; and a processor configured to execute theprogram, wherein the input data is in a first data format, in a seconddata format, or in a third data format, the first data format comprisesreal data, each of the second data format and the third data formatcomprises real data and metadata indicative of an attribute of the realdata, the second data format comprises the real data and the metadata indata units different from each other, the third data format comprisesthe real data and the metadata in a single data unit, and the programcauses the processor to convert, in response to the input data being inthe first data format or in the third data format, the data format ofthe input data to generate output data in the second data format.
 2. Thedata processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the programfurther causes the processor to generate the output data in the seconddata format in response to the input data being in the second dataformat.
 3. The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe program further causes the processor to output the real dataincluded in the output data to an ETL tool being an extract, transform,and load tool.
 4. The data processing apparatus according to claim 3,wherein the program causes the processor to process the metadata inaccordance with a process performed on the real data by the ETL tool. 5.The data processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the realdata comprises sensing data generated by a sensor.
 6. A data processingmethod for processing input data to generate output data, the input databeing in a first data format, in a second data format, or in a thirddata format, the first data format comprising real data, each of thesecond data format and the third data format comprising real data andmetadata indicative of an attribute of the real data, the second dataformat comprising the real data and the metadata in data units differentfrom each other, the third data format comprising the real data and themetadata in a single data unit, the method comprising: converting, inresponse to the input data being in the first data format or in thethird data format, the data format of the input data to generate outputdata in the second data format.
 7. A non-transitory computer-readablestorage medium storing a data processing program, which when read andexecuted, causes a processor to process input data to generate outputdata, format of the input data comprising a first data format, a seconddata format, and a third data format, the first data format comprisingreal data, each of the second data format and the third data formatcomprising real data and metadata indicative of an attribute of the realdata, the second data format comprising the real data and the metadatain data units different from each other, the third data formatcomprising the real data and the metadata in a single data unit, theprogram causing the processor to perform operations comprising:converting, in response to the input data being in the first data formator in the third data format, the data format of the input data togenerate output data in the second data format.
 8. The data processingapparatus according to claim 2, wherein the program further causes theprocessor to output the real data included in the output data to an ETLtool being an extract, transform, and load tool.
 9. The data processingapparatus according to claim 8, wherein the program causes the processorto process the metadata in accordance with a process performed on thereal data by the ETL tool.
 10. The data processing apparatus accordingto claim 2, wherein the real data comprises sensing data generated by asensor.
 11. The data processing apparatus according to claim 3, whereinthe real data comprises sensing data generated by a sensor.
 12. The dataprocessing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the real datacomprises sensing data generated by a sensor.